Fort Drum soldier from South Carolina killed in explosion in Afghanistan

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Military officials say a soldier who is from South Carolina has been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan.

The Department of Defense said Monday that 22-year-old Spc. Abraham Wheeler III of Columbia was killed on Friday. A statement says Wheeler was killed when the vehicle he was in was attacked by enemy forces.

Family members told WIS-TV that Wheeler had been a standout athlete in high school. Wheeler's father says his son was excited about serving in the military and looked forward to returning from deployment in October. (See the WIS-TV video)